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Amended Cleveland-only minimum wage proposal is still a bad deal

August 22nd, 2016

A national organization—interested in advancing its agenda, regardless of the cost that the City of Cleveland and Cleveland residents would incur—announced that it has finalized language for a Cleveland-only minimum wage ballot measure.

As the public learns more about the Service Employees International Union’s misguided approach and why a Cleveland-only minimum wage is a bad deal for Clevelanders, the union amended its original proposal that was sent to Cleveland City Council and rejected by an overwhelming vote.

The new version, which will still only apply to Cleveland, calls for the city’s minimum wage to increase to $12 in its first year, with $1-per-hour annual increases thereafter, until it reaches $15. At that point, the minimum wage would be tied to the cost of living.

Ultimately, Clevelanders will vote on the issue in November 2016 or through a special election on a to-be-determined date.

Meanwhile, the minimum wage for the rest of Ohio is set at $8.10, which can still increase annually based on the cost of living and how prices have inflated.

GCP remains opposed

The Greater Cleveland Partnership continues to oppose this effort because it puts Cleveland on an unlevel playing field with the rest of the state.

We will all have to pay significant costs, if it passes, because the proposal will:

Cost Cleveland existing jobs and new jobs.

Cost Cleveland’s seniors much-needed services.

Deny Cleveland’s young people job opportunities.

Force Clevelanders to pay higher prices.

Cost Cleveland its grocery stores, and Cleveland residents access to fresh groceries and food at a reasonable price.

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